Air fryer Flank Steak is a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing choice. With its deliciously tender meat, irresistible flavors, and perfectly cooked inside, it’s sure to become a dinner-time favorite.
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Air fryer flank steak is a juicy and easy delight that’s sure to be one your family loves. Learn how to cook flank steak in the air fryer, and you’ll discover the best way to create a simple, flavorful dish.
It pairs beautifully with a simple salad or mashed potatoes, making it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Plus, its versatility means you can enjoy it on various occasions, whether having a cozy family dinner or inviting friends for a laid-back get-together.
For those who appreciate the goodness of a well-cooked steak but prefer to keep things easy and hassle-free, air frying is the way to go.
How to Cook Flank Steak in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Using a knife, score both sides of the steak in a criss-cross pattern. Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides.
Whisk together the simple marinade ingredients and pour them in a ziplock bag over the steak. Massage the marinade into the meat and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, preferably overnight.
STEP TWO: After marinating the Angus beef, take it out of the bag and pat it dry with paper towels. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then transfer the extra flank steak marinade into a saucepan and set it aside.
STEP THREE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the beef flank steak inside. Air fry flank steak on each side for 5-7 minutes, flipping once. For a medium-rare steak, cook each side for 5 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Let the steak rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then thinly slice it against the grain.
STEP FIVE: While the meat rests, prepare the sauce. Whisk beef broth into the reserved marinade and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in butter, taste, and season if necessary. Spoon over the slices and enjoy!
Tips to Make the Best Air Fryer Flank Steak
- When it’s time to slice the steak, cut it thinly against the grain. It enhances tenderness and makes for easier chewing.
- When spraying the air fryer basket with oil, please don’t overdo it. A light coating is enough to prevent sticking.
- If possible, let the steak marinate overnight. Longer marination results in a more decadent, more flavorful steak.
- The temp and time are crucial to have a flavorful and tender steak. Refer to the section below to find the perfect cooking time for you.
- To keep your delicious meal fresh, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
How Long to Cook Flank Steak in the Air Fryer
To keep your flank steak nice and tender, ensure it’s not air fried for too long. Flank steak is a lean cut with less fat, so it can get chewy if you’re not careful.
Medium rare steak is commonly the desired doneness when cooking flank steak, which means it should reach an internal temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit (check with a meat thermometer).
After reaching this point, wrap the steak in foil and allow it to rest — the temperature will naturally increase to a perfect 135 degrees F.
If you prefer your air fryer flank steak to be cooked differently, here are some temperature guidelines for a perfectly cooked flank steak in the air fryer:
- Medium: 140-145 degrees F
- Medium Well: 145-150 degrees F
- Well Done: 155-160 degrees F
I love air frying my steak so I can keep an eye on the temperature which you cannot do when making flank steak in the Instant Pot.
More Ways to Use Flank Steak
- London Broil Marinade
- Steak Fajitas
- 45 Ideas for Steak Dinners
- Carne Asada Quesadillas
- 25 Ways to Use Leftover Steak
- Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Variations to Cooking This Flank Steak Recipe
- While salt and pepper taste amazing when you air fry flank steak, steak seasoning is a great alternative that can kick it up a notch.
- Lime-infused flank steak is a speedy and delicious twist. Just combine lime juice with finely grated lime zest in a bowl. Marinate your flank steak in this mixture and your preferred seasonings for a citrusy burst of flavor.
How to Cut Flank Steak
When cutting flank steak, it’s essential to go against the grain for the most tender and flavorful slices.
Identify the direction of the muscle fibers, which run along the length of the steak.
Using a sharp knife, slice thinly at a 45-degree angle, perpendicular to these fibers — meaning across them, not in the same direction. This technique helps break up the muscle fibers and results in tender, bite-sized pieces of thin steak that are perfect for enjoying in various dishes.
What to Serve with Flank Steak
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
- Air Fryer Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Blooming Onion
- Ninja Foodi Baked Potato
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Garlic
- Roasted Vegetables
How to Reheat Flank Steak in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Put the steak in the basket, and check it every 2 minutes with a food-safe thermometer until the internal temperature reaches about 130 degrees F.
Note: The total time you’ll have to reheat your air fryer flank steak depends on the thickness of the meat.
Learn more about how to reheat steak in the air fryer here.
More Air Fryer Steak Recipes
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
- Cube Steaks in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer London Broil
- Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
- NY Strip Steak in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Tri Tip
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Air Fryer Weight Watcher Points per serving: 12
Air Fryer Flank Steak
How to make a deliciously juicy flank steak in the air fryer using a simple marinade. Top it with a 2-ingredient sauce for maximum flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Sauce:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Using a knife, score the steak on both sides with shallow cuts across the grain in a criss-cross pattern. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- In a 2-cup measuring cup, whisk together the red wine, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Dijon, and rosemary. Pour the mixture into a plastic zipper bag, then place the steak in the bag and massage the marinade into the meat. Refrigerate for 4-8 hours.
- Remove the steak from the bag and place it on a cutting board, then pour the marinade in a saucepan and set it aside.
- Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Let it rest and come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the steak inside, and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, flipping once. (5 mins each side for 130 degrees/med-rare)
- Remove the steak and allow it to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
- While the steak rests, make the sauce (optional). Add beef broth to the saucepan with the marinade. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir in the butter, taste, and season if necessary.
Notes
How to Reheat Flank Steak in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the fryer basket with cooking spray, place the steak inside, and cook for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
- Remove the steak and allow it to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 409Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 397mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 43g
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Is there a substitution for the red wine as we do not use alcoholic.
You can certainly replace the red wine for a non-alcoholic red wine if you are open to that, however if you want something else you could try beef broth, red wine vinegar(dilute or use sparingly), red grape juice, pomegranate juice, or even a tomato juice or sauce. It just depends on your preference. I hope that helps, have fun cooking!